Another Scrap Metal Arrest

Published July 29th, 2008

Deputies believe that 23-year-old Juleon Akana was stealing the appliances for scrap metal.

As the price of scrap metal goes up, so is the amount of metal being stolen. Investigators say in just the last few months they've seen a huge increase in the amount of scrap metal like copper, brass, tin and steal being stolen from anywhere criminals can get their hands on them.

Neighbors say Akana keeps busy bringing in scrap metal by the truck load. They say they'd always assumed he had acquired it legally until he was found with what deputies say are stolen appliances at a local recycling center. Akana says he did not steal the appliances.

"When we recovered the appliances, there was evidence that they had been drug through the grass like the witness described," said Marion County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Jenifer Fisher. "The cord had been cut from the washing machine, and was still dripping water from where it had been removed. So it was obvious it had just been taken from the residence."

Akana has been arrested in the past for grand theft, and now faces other charges including burglary and grand theft.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office is working with local recycling centers and has so far made over 40 arrests with information they've provided.

As of October 1st, legislation will go into effect that will create stricter guidelines that recycling centers must follow. It will also make the penalty tougher for criminals who steal scrap metal.